I like to give a feedback form to students at the end of the quarter. They tell me what they like, don't like, and what they would change. I have gotten great feedback this way and I use it to make the class better.
We have retention inservice where strategies are taught. I also am fortunate to work with other instructors that have a world of experience and knowledge. I find it beneficial to get to know the students, and to ask them what I can do to help the succeed.
Hi Seth,
Good way to start a new class. This gives you an overview of the composition of the class so you can plan for how you are going to deliver the content. Knowing their career goals really helps you with developing respect and rapport with them as well.
Gary
Hi Katrina,
Good point. Much of instruction is based upon listening. Students will "tell" you a lot whether it is verbal or not if they see you as a person that is supportive of their efforts. This also helps to create rapport with the students and that is an essential part of being a good instructor.
Gary
Effective retention strategies, for me, begin on the first day of class. I always have each individual write down answers for a few simple questions. This helps me to get an idea of their expectations. I usually want to know what they "think" they will learn in the class based on the course title. This also gives me an idea of what the general misconceptions are about the course. I also ask what industry experience they have and how they feel they might be able to utilize knowledge from this course in the industry. I finally want to know what their goal is for the course (what grade, or knowledge do they want to walk away with). I have the students share out loud as well as I take the answers and read them later to prepare for the rest of the term.
It pays to pay attention to your students to become aware of what will help to retain them most effectively. I try to learn all students' names within the first week of class (sometimes it takes 2 weeks), and I try to always do a little chit chat at the beginning of a class time.
I agree with many of the previous comments posted in this thread--if you talk to your students during every class period, you can gauge their interest/disinterest in the class, course material, and school in general. By taking the extra time to ask (with genuine interest) how they are doing/feeling/etc., you can aid in retention efforts of the school.
Hi Lyn,
Thank you for the excellent remarks about student retention. You are correct about how the instructor is the first and last line of defense in terms of keeping students in school. I took am often sadden by the student that I thought was doing ok in the class and wasn't in danger of quitting and then one day is gone. I start to think what did I miss, could I have caught the signals in time, etc. I always try and follow up with such a student to see if I can get them back. The results are mixed on whether they come back or not. I will never give up trying though because I along with all the other instructors want students to succeed.
Gary
Hi Gary and all,
How can Instructors become aware of retention stategies? Since schools take great interest in retention, there are often programs that have been developed by the school to improve retention and instructors should be made aware of these. I think a team approach is best.
But, what about the sentiment that "Instructors are the front line of retention." In fact, I have been asked how instructors can influence retention in job interviews sometimes. :-)
Students may see an instructor not only as the person that assesses work for a grade, but also as the one that is responsible for a grade. I have been thanked by students for a good grade but sometimes blamed for a "bad grade."
Neither is correct, of course, because it is the student that earns any particular grade based on objective standards. The reasons for any grade should be clearly communicated in the grading feedback whether the grade is good, or not as high as the student (and I) hoped.
A student that is not doing well may feel inadequate or ashamed. This student may want to lash out or drop out.
When this happens, I think it is good to say: I understand that you are upset, but let's try to think of ways that may help you to improve. Express confidence in their ability to move past this disappointment and offer help in that effort.
But, if the reasons are more personal.. and not related to the class...I will certainly listen, but may need to refer them to others that can help.
The biggest concern for retention is not a student who expresses disappointment; at least that student is still communicating with me. The student that is hardest to help is the one that just silently disappears, even after I have reached out to him or her. Lyn
Hi Dan, I sometimes tell my students to think of me as "the project manager." This is especially helpful when they are doing a group project.
A good project manager will not only assign a clear project but is also availabe to the team for any clarifications or questions about the project. And of course, the project manager is the one that will assess the outcome, as I will do. :-)
When I say that I am their project manager, they seem to understand my role better, and their roles as well. Lyn
Hi Kristine,
Right you are. By getting them settled into the class and feeling supported in their learning they will become engaged and focused on the course and their career goals.
Gary
The most important step to take is to make each student feel welcome and comfortable. And try to make the class stressfree and a little fun:-) Yes, it's hard to do all, but once you do, your students will come back!
Hi Jan,
I think one of the retention strategies for students is to put onus on them. They have to understand it really is up to them. We can encourage them, support them and instruct them but we can't learn for them. We have already graduated so we are at a different point than they. We are practicing professionals sharing our expertise with those that do not have such expertise.
Once they understand that then they are ready to acquire the needed knowledge and skills.
Gary
Hi Deb,
Thanks for sharing this information with us. Your former boss's advice is good for this situation. We need to leave our lives at the door so that we don't carry our problems into the classroom and let them contaminate the class for that day. By developing rapport with our students we are going to keep them in school and moving toward achieving their career goals.
Gary
By seeking out this information from the retention coordinator, supervisor and administrative staff.
There are several ways to raise retention. It is very easy to have a positive relationship with your students. Be open to feedback. Early in the term note students that are struggling. Have outreach with them, and provide tutors if needed. Use surveys to see what students want to improve about your source. Vary your instruction materials, remembering everyone learns differently.
Good point Emma. It is next to impossible to come up with a "one size fits all" strategy for engaging students. Sometimes, it is not until we try something in a classroom that we find out it is not effective. That is all part of the learning process. The key is to monitor and evaluate our methods to ensure we are taking advantage of what works, and working on what doesn't!
First, I think we need to put a lot of the onus on the student (I know that is not what you are going for here but it is my honest opinion). One of the most effective retention strategies is to be present and available, having said that, the students must do their part as well. While it is true that some students will need a lot more direction than others, our end goal should be to help these students become independent, life long learners.
To begin with instructors should educate themselves by taking classes such as MaxKowledge. Secondly they should develop a relationship with their students. The student teacher relationship is a strong tool in retaining students. Have an atmosphere that is open, thus allowing students to contact you. Don't make them feel that every time they contact you it is an inconvenience to you. I had an old boss that would say "Just because I may be having a bad day, it doesn't mean I have to make it your problem". We as teachers like our students all have bad days but don't take it out on the poor student who is just trying to get some help. If you care about your students and they know it you will have a better chance of retaining them.
Continuing education for instructors exposes instructors to alternate effective strategies.
